How do we approach Math @ Ekya Schools?
At Ekya Schools, we believe that what we learn depends on how we learn. Our methodology and pedagogy is student centric and we believe that students learn best when they are an active part of the process.We structure all our programs to equip our students with 21st century skills along with the required content knowledge.
We use the Singapore Math Approach in teaching Math at primary and middle school level. This is a highly effective teaching methodology originally developed by Singapore’s Ministry of Education for Singapore public schools. The method has been widely adopted in various forms around the world. It is a teaching method based on the national mathematics curriculum used for kindergarten through sixth grade.
Through this approach, students are able to develop critical thinking and mathematical mastery of their work. At the crux of this methodology is the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract learning method (C-P-A) in which lessons are taught through scaffolding and students learn how to problem solve with perseverance. This method also enables teachers to convey math concepts progressively from introduction to understanding to fluency. It is where content meets pedagogy.
We aim to raise our student performance to the expected international levels.
How does this Approach help students?
Math, for the most part, has been memorizing some steps and procedures again and again. To make it challenging, the numbers were made bigger. Bigger the numbers, higher the challenge was the rationale given. That mind-set has now changed. We now believe that this is not challenging, instead, it is just tedious.
Singapore Math focuses on the Concrete – Pictorial – Abstract approach. This makes it easier to link ideas to the concepts.
We aim to equip students with sound concept development, critical thinking and efficient problem solving skills.
What do our students learn in Math classes?
Here are a few things we do in our classrooms:
Teresa George
Math Curriculum Designer
Ekya – CMR K12 Schools
Learning at Ekya
“Education is not the learning of facts but training the mind to think”
~Albert Einstein
At Ekya, we believe that learning is a lifelong journey and knowing how to learn is a skill in itself. Our learning process focuses on creating lifelong learners with the means to adapt and thrive in a constantly changing world.
Learning as a goal is truly achieved only when students are able to transfer their learnings to new situations. To enable this, at Ekya, we provide opportunities for students to nurture their curiosity, present ideas, explore authentic tasks such as engineering and design challenges and research reports.
Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue?Are there more than 118 elements? Why did dinosaurs become extinct? The curiosity that lies behind these questions and the drive to find the answers is what learning Science is all about. Physics is one of the most fundamental science disciplines and its main goal is to understand how the universe works. Studying physics develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
At Ekya, the students delve into the world of Physics through problem solving tasks using light and sound, experiments with force and motion in the primary grades to tasks such as Reverse Engineering project, Air Bag Challenge and Hybrid Vehicle Design Challenge in the senior grades. These tasks help the students to engage with real world applications. Students engage with the scientific content through strategies such as scientific sketching,CER - Claim Evidence Reasoning framework,IIC - Identify, interpret and Conclude,etc. Team work, empathy and reflecting on their own learnings play key roles in this process.
The culture at Ekya promotes collaboration, cohesive interaction and a safe space for students to voice their thoughts and queries. Teachers are trained to appreciate and acknowledge every student and gradually help them expand their boundaries. Every student has their own pace when it comes to learning. Teachers play an important role in levelling this learning graph by helping those who need extra care and providing hands-on sessions whenever necessary. Culture routines like affirmations, good things, centering and reflections induce value and empathy in the classrooms.
The objective for every stakeholder at Ekya is the success of students. Our learning and culture practices, processes and pedagogies allow students to achieve their goals, make a difference and be future ready.
Komathi K
Physics Curriculum Designer
Ekya - CMR K12 Schools
Leave a reply